A board member in Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB), Mrs Ify Anatune, has urged students to reduce the time spent watching TV and using phones, and focus on reading and writing to develop their creativity, innovation, and problem-solving abilities.
She made this call at the prize presentation ceremony of the maiden Joe Anatune Memorial Essay Competition held on Friday in Awka.
The competition had the theme, ‘Inspiring Young Minds, Shaping the Future,’ in honour of the late Managing Director, Anambra State Signage and Advertising Agency, Joe Anatunne, who died on April 30, 2022 at 62.
Anatune said that excessive screen time had become an epidemic among children, with profound impacts on their productivity and development.
“Reduce the time spent watching TV and on phones, this is crucial in your formative years. There is a need to make room for creative hobbies like reading and writing.
“This will encourage a thought activity which in turn promotes creativity, innovation and problem-solving abilities.
“Reading can help children understand and express themselves better, develop their logical thinking, and help them to focus on learning new things,” she said.
Anatune said the competition was to promote her late husband’s legacy as he was passionate about critical thinking, creative writing and intellectual curiosity.
“The competition was publicised online and over 1,000 entries were received from students in public, private and public-mission primary and secondary schools in the state.
“The essay competition was in two categories, the primary and secondary categories. The pupils wrote on ‘How Technology is Shaping Our Every Lives’, while participants from JSS 3, SSS 1 to SSS 3 wrote on ‘The Impact of Technology on the Future of Education: Opportunities and Challenges,’ she hinted.
She also appreciated Anambra Alliance, Rinadac Foundation, b3 Heritage and the Anambra Ministry of Education for supporting the programme.
